WO2014174423A1

WO2014174423A1 - Device for applying a cosmetic product

Info

Publication number: WO2014174423A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/060844
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcel Sanchez; Eric Caulier; Wendy ANNONAY; Audrey THENIN
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2013-04-26
Filing date: 2014-04-18
Publication date: 2014-10-30
Also published as: FR3004906A1; FR3004906B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator (3) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having: -a stem (8), and -an applicator member (10) at one end of the stem (8), the applicator member (10) being produced by material moulding and having: -a core (11) that extends along a longitudinal axis (X), and -applicator elements (12) that are carried by the core and extend around the latter, the core having at least one groove, better still a plurality of grooves, oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly or obliquely, with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the core.

Description

Device for applying a cosmetic product

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, and also to a packaging and application device having such an applicator and a container containing the product to be applied.

Applicators having an applicator member in the form of a comb, carrying a row of applicator elements that define, between one another, grooves which are loaded with product when the applicator member is removed from the container, are known.

Patent Application EP 1 070 466 describes a comb having teeth that are disposed alternately on two sides of a core. This configuration makes it possible to form reserves of product between the teeth.

EP 0 038 524 discloses a mascara applicator having grooves between rings, but which is deprived of spikes.

JP 2002-159336, WO 2013/035396, US 6 260 558, FR 2 512 653 and US 3 908 676 disclose mascara applicators deprived of any spikes.

In JP 2012-245240, there are no grooves between the end teeth.

In EP 1 070 466, the teeth are extending on one side only of the core.

There is a need to further improve applicators for applying a product, in particular mascara, to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, in order in particular to improve the performance thereof, and more particularly to promote the creation on the applicator member of zones that are more heavily laden with product, which allow more rapid and more abundant loading of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, while retaining a capacity to separate the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, and, if need be, flexibility and softness on application.

The invention aims to meet this need by virtue of an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having:

a stem, and

an applicator member at one end of the stem, the applicator member being produced by material moulding and having:

a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and applicator elements, better spikes, that are carried by the core and extend around the latter,

the core having at least one groove, better still a plurality of grooves, oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly or obliquely, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core. The expression "groove oriented perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core" should be understood as meaning that the groove has a mid-plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core.

The expression "groove oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core" should be understood as meaning that the groove has a mid-plane which contains a ray passing through the longitudinal axis of the core and which forms a non-right angle with the longitudinal axis of the core, or that the groove has a mid-plane which forms a non-right angle both with a ray and with the longitudinal axis of the core.

A groove oriented transversely may also extend along a curved mid-line.

By virtue of the invention, the product can accumulate in the groove or grooves, and zones that are more heavily laden with product can be obtained after wiping, making it possible to rapidly load the eyelashes with product. Even after the applicator has been passed over the eyelashes, the product deposited in the groove or grooves makes it possible to make up the eyelashes without it being necessary to dip the applicator back into the container containing the product. For their part, the applicator elements make it possible to smooth out the product on the eyelashes and separate the latter.

The invention also makes it possible to obtain a flexible applicator, by virtue of the fact that the presence of the groove or grooves increases the flexibility of the core. This may allow soft and pleasant application of the product.

A makeup effect in the form of bunches of eyelashes may also be obtained by virtue of the alternation of the groove or grooves and the applicator elements. Thus, preferably, the applicator member has at least one groove disposed between regions of the applicator member that each carry applicator elements positioned all around the longitudinal axis of the core.

The expression "the applicator elements extend all around the core" should be understood as meaning that the applicator elements extend in at least three directions around the core, starting from respective sectors [0° to 120°[, [120° to 240° [ and [240° to 360°[ around the longitudinal axis of the core. Thus, the applicator member has at least one applicator element that is attached to the core in the sector [0 to 120°[, another in the sector [120° to 240°[ and another in the sector [240° to 360°[. These applicator elements may be the same shape. Preferably, between two consecutive grooves, at least three applicator elements that extend in different directions all around the core are found on the portion extending between these grooves. Preferably, the applicator member has applicator elements which extend in at least four, better still five, even better still six, different directions around the core.

Grooves

The grooves are preferably oriented transversely with respect to at least one applicator element.

The grooves are preferably not provided with applicator elements.

The applicator member may have opposite first and second application sectors, each carrying applicator elements. Preferably, the sectors each extend through 180° about the longitudinal axis of the core, and are complementary.

It is possible for only one of the sectors to have grooves. This makes it possible to obtain reservoirs of product, on only one side of the core, after the applicator member has been wiped, these reservoirs making it possible to load the eyelashes with product; the user can then comb the eyelashes and curl them and/or separate them by using the sector without grooves.

In one variant, the first and second sectors each have grooves.

The first and second sectors may have the same number of grooves.

In one variant, the first sector has a number of grooves different from that of the second sector, the first sector having for example half as many grooves as the second sector.

The grooves may be disposed in an alternating manner on two opposite sides of the core. The applicator obtained in this way is easily deformable and also allows the eyelashes to be loaded without prior identification of the orientation of the applicator relative to the eyelashes.

In one variant, the grooves extend on opposite sides of the core with no axial offset of the grooves from one side to the other.

The grooves may be disposed along the longitudinal axis of the core in a helical manner.

Preferably, the grooves emerge laterally at their ends, and form notches on the core when the latter is viewed from the side.

The grooves are preferably oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the core. Preferably, the applicator member has discontinuous grooves.

In one variant, the grooves are oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core. In this case, the grooves have for example sidewalls that are approximately parallel to one another and each have a mid-plane that contains a ray and forms a non-right angle with the longitudinal axis of the core, this angle being for example between 10° and 85°, better still between 30° and 60°, being for example in the region of 45°. In one variant, the groove or grooves each have a mid-plane that forms a non-right angle with a ray and with the longitudinal axis of the core, this angle being for example between 10° and 85°, better still between 30° and 60°, being for example in the region of 45°.

The grooves may each extend along a curved mid-line, in top view.

The sidewalls of the grooves may be oriented differently from one groove to another. In a single sector, the sidewalls of a groove may be oriented obliquely in the direction of the proximal end of the core, and the sidewalls of the following groove may be oriented obliquely in the direction of the distal end of the core. In top view, the mid-planes along which the grooves extend may be alternately oriented firstly from the back to the front and from the left to the right, and secondly from the back to the front and from the right to the left.

The sidewalls of the grooves may all be parallel to one another. In one variant, the grooves may taper, that is to say that their sidewalls are not parallel to one another. At least one of these sidewalls may for example form a non-zero angle with an axis that passes through the bottom of the groove and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core, it being possible for this angle in particular to be between 1° and 5°, being for example equal to 3°.

The depth of the grooves is preferably less than or equal to half the thickness of the core. The deformation of the core on application of the product is thus limited. In one variant, the depth of the grooves is greater than half the thickness of the core.

The first sector may have grooves with a depth equal to that of the grooves in the second sector.

In one variant, the first sector has grooves with a depth different from that of the grooves in the second sector. This makes it possible to have reservoirs of product of different sizes, and thus to have two application sides with different characteristics.

The depth of the grooves in a single sector may be constant or variable from one groove to another. The relative depth of a groove with respect to the thickness of the core may be constant for all of the grooves in a single sector.

The angular extent of the grooves around the longitudinal axis of the core is preferably between 60° and 200°, better still between 150° and 180°. The grooves thus advantageously have a notch shape. The width of the grooves may be between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, better still between 0.9 mm and 1.4 mm, being for example equal to 1 mm. This width is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core.

The grooves may have, in section, a flat or rounded bottom when the applicator member is viewed from the side, perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis.

The distance between two consecutive grooves on one side of the core, measured along the longitudinal axis of the core between the adjacent sidewalls of these grooves, is for example between 2.5 mm and 3 mm, being for example equal to 2.85 mm.

The grooves are inscribed in the envelope surface of the core, it being possible for said envelope surface to be a cylinder in the geometric sense, having a circular or polygonal section, along the major part of the length of the core.

The width of a groove, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the core, is preferably greater than the largest transverse dimension of an applicator element, for example its diameter at its base in the case of applicator elements in the form of conical spikes.

All of the grooves may be notches, the bottom of which is flat and parallel to a single plane.

All of the grooves are preferably notches, the bottom of which is oriented parallel to a single direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core.

Each portion of the core between two consecutive grooves that are located on one and the same side of the core may carry at least three applicator elements, which may be spikes, better still between 3 and 40 applicator elements, better between 3 and 40 spikes.

Applicator member

The applicator member is advantageously produced by moulding a thermoplastic material, in particular an elastomer, for example SEBS, a silicone, latex, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, PET, POM, PA or PMMA. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under the trade names Hytrel^®, Cariflex^®, Alixine^®, Santoprene^®, or Pebax^®, this list not being limiting. The applicator member is for example, and preferably, made of SEBS having a hardness of 70, 80 or 90 Shore A, or of Hytrel^® having a hardness of 43, 51 or 55 Shore D. The applicator member may be formed by a part attached to the stem of the applicator. As a variant, the applicator member may be produced by being moulded in one piece with the stem of the applicator.

The visible height of the applicator member may be between 15 mm and 30 mm, better still between 23 mm and 27 mm, being for example equal to 25 mm.

The core is preferably monolithic.

The core preferably has a curvilinear longitudinal axis, but the latter may also be rectilinear.

The thickness of the core may be between 1 mm and 3 mm, better still between 1.5 mm and 2.9 mm, even better still between 2 mm and 2.9 mm, being for example equal to 2.8 mm. The thickness of the core corresponds to its diameter when the core has a circular cross section.

The core may be solid, apart from the abovementioned grooves. In one variant, the core is hollow along at least a part of its length, better still along its entire length. In this case, a rod is inserted into the core along at least a part of its length, better still along its entire length. This rod is advantageously designed to fill the hollow region of the core. When the core has a circular cross section, this hollow region is a cylinder. The rod inserted into the core may be moulded with the stem which supports the applicator member. The core may be mounted on the rod so as to be free to rotate or not. The radius of the rod inserted into the core is preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, being for example equal to 0.6 mm.

The length of the applicator elements may be between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, better still between 0.7 mm and 2.6 mm.

The transverse dimension of the applicator elements may decrease towards their free end.

The largest transverse dimension of the applicator elements may be between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, being for example equal to 0.55 mm.

The applicator elements may have different transverse dimensions and/or different lengths.

The applicator member may in particular have applicator elements having a shorter length in the vicinity of its proximal and distal ends. The diameter of the envelope surface formed by the applicator elements in the circumferential row of applicator elements having a shorter length may be between 4 mm and 5 mm, being for example equal to 4.80 mm. The applicator elements in a circumferential row of applicator elements may have a length greater than that of the applicator elements in the consecutive circumferential row, along the longitudinal axis of the core.

The diameter of the envelope surface of the applicator member, corresponding to the diameter of the envelope surface formed by the applicator elements in the circumferential row of applicator elements having a greater length, may be between 7 mm and 10 mm, being for example equal to 8.56 mm, and the diameter of the envelope surface formed by the applicator elements in the consecutive circumferential row may be between 5 mm and 7 mm, being for example equal to 6.80 mm.

The angle between two consecutive circumferential rows of applicator elements may be between 10° and 20°, being for example equal to 15°.

The distance between two consecutive applicator elements in a single circumferential row, measured between their free ends, may be between 1 mm and 2 mm, being for example equal to 0.45 mm. The distance between two consecutive applicator elements in a single circumferential row, measured between the adjacent sidewalls of the latter in the region of the core, may be between 0.5 mm and 1.2 mm, being for example equal to 0.9 mm.

At its end opposite the applicator member, the stem is connected to a gripping member.

The applicator member may have between 50 and 500 applicator elements, better still between 200 and 410 applicator elements, for example 270.

Packaging and application device

According to another of its aspects, the subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator according to the invention and a container containing the product to be applied.

The gripping member of the applicator may form a cap for closing the container in a sealed manner.

The container may have a member for wiping the applicator.

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples thereof, and with reference to the attached drawing, in which: Figure 1 schematically shows, in longitudinal section, an example of a packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 shows a side view of the applicator member from Figure 1 on its own,

- Figure 3 is a section along III-III of the applicator member from Figure 2,

Figure 3A is a detail of the applicator member from Figure 3, Figure 4 is a section along IV-IV of the applicator from Figure 2,

Figures 5, 6 and 10 to 14 are views similar to Figure 2 of variant embodiments,

- Figures 7 to 9 show perspective views of applicator variants according to the invention, with only some of the applicator elements being shown,

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a variant embodiment, with no applicator elements being shown,

Figure 16 shows a perspective view of an applicator variant according to the invention,

Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the applicator from Figure 16 cut away transversely, and

Figures 18 and 19 are top views of variant embodiments.

The packaging and application device 1 shown in Figure 1 has a container 2 containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows and an applicator 3 which may be fixed removably to the container 2.

The applicator 3 has a stem 8 of longitudinal axis Y, which is provided at one end with an applicator member 10, which will be described in detail below, and at the other end with a gripping member 9 that likewise forms a cap for closing the container 2 in a sealed manner. The latter has a body 7 which is provided at the top with a threaded neck 5 onto which the gripping member 9 can be screwed in order to close the container 2 in a sealed manner. In a variant, the applicator 3 can be fixed to the container 2 in some other way.

The neck 5 may accommodate, as illustrated, a wiping member 6 which is for example inserted into the neck 5. This wiping member 6 has for example a lip that defines a wiping orifice having a diameter adapted to that of the stem 8. The wiping member 6 may be of any type, attached to the container 2 or moulded together therewith. The wiping member 6 may also be adjustable. In a variant, the neck 5 of the container 2 may be attached.

In the example illustrated, the stem 8 has a rectilinear longitudinal axis Y, but if the stem 8 is not rectilinear, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention. The stem 8 may have a flexible part at its distal end, optionally provided with an annular groove, the applicator member 10 then being attached to this flexible part.

The product P is intended to be applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows. It may comprise iron oxide, among other pigments, and an aqueous or organic solvent, depending on the formulation.

The applicator member 10 has been schematically illustrated on its own in Figure

2.

The applicator member 10 has a core 1 1 that extends along a longitudinal axis X, which is rectilinear in the example in Figures 1 to 4.

The applicator member 10 has an end piece 4 moulded in one piece with the core

11, this end piece 4 serving to fix the applicator member 10 in the stem 8. The length of the end piece 4 may be between 5 mm and 8 mm, being for example equal to 7 mm.

The visible height H of the applicator member 10 is between 20 mm and 30 mm, better still between 23 mm and 27 mm, being for example equal to 25 mm in the example in Figures 1 to 4.

The total height of the applicator member 10, corresponding to the core 11 and to the end piece 4, is between 25 mm and 38 mm, better still between 28 mm and 35 mm, being for example equal to 32 mm in the example in Figures 1 to 4.

The applicator member 10 has opposite first 14 and second 15 application sectors, each carrying applicator elements 12. In the example described, the first 14 and second 15 sectors each extend over 180° around the longitudinal axis X of the core 11. The applicator elements 12 thus extend all around the core 11.

In the example in Figures 1 to 4, the applicator elements 12 have a length / which varies depending on their position on the core 1 1. As shown in Figure 4, the applicator elements 12 in a circumferential row 16 have a length greater than that of the applicator elements 12 in the consecutive circumferential row 17.

The diameter ψι of the envelope surface E of the applicator member 10, corresponding to the diameter of the envelope surface formed by the applicator elements 12 in the row 16, may be between 7 mm and 10 mm, being for example equal to 8.56 mm, and the diameter φ₂ of the envelope surface formed by the applicator elements 12 in the row 17 may be between 5 mm and 7 mm, being for example equal to 6.80 mm.

The angle λ between the two consecutive circumferential rows 16 and 17 may be between 10° and 20°, being equal to 15° in the example shown in Figure 4. The applicator member 10 has applicator elements 12 having a shorter length in the vicinity of its proximal 20 and distal 21 ends. The diameter φ₃ of the envelope surface formed by the applicator elements 12 in the circumferential row 18 of applicator elements having a shorter length may be between 4 mm and 5 mm, being for example equal to 4.80 mm.

The transverse dimension of the applicator elements 12 decreases from their base towards their free end.

The largest transverse dimension D_e of an applicator element 12, which is its diameter at its base in the example in question, may be between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, being equal to 0.55 mm in the example described.

As shown in Figure 3A, the distance d_e between two consecutive applicator elements 12 in a single circumferential row 16, measured between their free ends, may be between 1 mm and 2 mm, being for example equal to 0.45 mm. The distance <¾ between two consecutive applicator elements 12 in a single circumferential row 16, measured between the adjacent sidewalls 12b of the latter in the region of the core 11, may be between 0.5 mm and 1.2 mm, being for example equal to 0.9 mm.

The applicator elements 12 are formed by spikes having a conical shape in the example illustrated. However, the invention is not limited to applicator elements in the form of conical spikes, and other forms of spikes or teeth are possible, for example having a flattened cross section.

The core 11 has a plurality of grooves 13 that are oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the core and each have no applicator elements.

In the example described, the grooves 13 are formed by notches that are oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the core 11. The grooves 13 emerge laterally at their ends.

The grooves 13 have, in section, a flat bottom 13a when the applicator member is viewed from the side, perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, as can be seen in Figure 2.

When the applicator 10 passes through the wiping member 6, product P may remain in the grooves 13 and the latter can thus house reserves of product P, making it possible, during the application of the product P, to load the eyelashes and/or eyebrows that are introduced into the grooves 13. The eyelashes and/or eyebrows are furthermore combed and/or curled by the applicator elements 12. As shown in Figure 2, the depth d_} of the grooves in the first sector 14 and the depth d₂ of the grooves in the second sector 15 may be the same, and are for example equal to half the thickness E of the core 11.

The grooves 13 in the first sector 14 are disposed, along the longitudinal axis X of the core 11, in an alternating manner with respect to the grooves 13 in the second sector 15. For example, between two grooves 13 of the first sector 14, a groove 13 of the second sector 15 is found, preferably half-way between.

The width / of the grooves 13 is for example between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, better still between 0.9 mm and 1.4 mm, being for example equal to 1 mm in the example in question.

The distance d_g between two consecutive grooves 13 on one side of the core 11, measured along the longitudinal axis X of the core 11 between the adjacent sidewalls 13a of these grooves 13, is between 2.5 mm and 3 mm, being for example equal to 2.85 mm in the example in question.

The grooves 13 have a taper, their sidewalls 13a not being parallel to one another. As shown in Figure 2, the sidewalls 13a form a non-zero angle β with an axis that passes through the bottom of the groove 13 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the core 11, it being possible for this angle β in particular to be between 1° and 5°, being for example equal to 3°. The angle between the opposite sidewalls 13b of a single groove 13 may thus be 6°.

In the example in question, the first 14 and second 15 sectors each have six grooves 13.

In the variant shown in Figure 5, the first sector 14 has half as many grooves 13 as the second sector 15, i.e. for example three grooves.

In a further variant, shown in Figures 6 and 7, only the first sector 14 has grooves

13.

In the example in Figure 8, the angular extent a of the grooves 13 around the longitudinal axis X of the core 11 is equal to 180°. Thus, the core 11 has a semicircular section in the region of a groove 13.

In the variant shown in Figure 9, the angular extent a of the grooves 13 around the longitudinal axis X of the core 11 is equal to about 60°. The smaller angular extent of the grooves 13 is obtained in this example by virtue of a smaller depth thereof.

In the example in Figure 10 and in that in Figure 15, the grooves 13 extend on opposite sides of the core 11 with no axial offset of the grooves from one side to the other. In these examples, the respective depths d_} and d₂ of the grooves 13 in the first 14 and second 15 sectors are the same and are less than half the thickness E of the core 11.

In the variant shown in Figure 1 1, where the grooves 13 are disposed in an alternating manner on the two opposite sectors 14, 15 of the core 11, the respective depths d_} and d₂ of the grooves in the first 14 and second 15 sectors are the same and greater than half the thickness E of the core 11.

In a further variant, shown in Figure 12, the first sector 14 has grooves 13 with a depth d] greater than the depth d₂ of the grooves 13 in the second sector 15. The depth d_} of the grooves 13 in the first sector 14 is equal for example to half the thickness E of the core 11, while the depth d₂ of the grooves 13 in the second sector 15 is less than that of the grooves in the first sector 14.

In the example shown in Figure 13, the grooves 13 have a rounded bottom 13a in section. This bottom may be cylindrical with a generatrix perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the core 11 or toric about this axis or an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

In the example in Figure 14, the grooves 13 are each oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the core 11 and with respect to a ray, in the direction of the proximal end 20 of the core 11. Thus, they have for example sidewalls 13b that are parallel to one another and form a non-right angle with the longitudinal axis X of the core 1 1. In a variant which is not shown, the sidewalls 13b of the grooves form an angle with the longitudinal axis X of the core 11 which is different from one groove to another.

In the example in Figure 15, the longitudinal axis X of the core 11 is curvilinear, being curved around a single axis of curvature.

In the examples described above, the core 11 is solid, apart from the abovementioned grooves 13.

In the examples in Figures 16 and 17, the core 11 is hollow along its entire length, including the end piece 4. The stem 8 may carry a rod, not illustrated, which passes through the core 11 along its entire length, this rod being for example moulded with the stem or attached thereto. The core may be free to rotate on this rod. In a variant, the core is not free to move on this rod, being for example overmoulded thereon.

The rod inserted into the core may protrude from the core at its distal end.

In the examples described above, the grooves 13 have a mid-plane M, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the core 13 or forming a non-right angle therewith, containing a ray. In the variant shown in Figure 18, the grooves 13 are produced such that they each have a mid-plane M containing a ray and forming an angle i with the longitudinal axis X, for example of 45°. The grooves 13 thus extend along a straight mid-line in top view. In a variant of Figure 18, which is not shown, the mid-planes M of the grooves 13 are oriented, in top view, in an manner alternating in one direction and then in the other, for example at 45° in one direction and then at 45° in the other direction. In a further variant, as illustrated in Figure 19, the grooves 13 extend along a curved mid-line M in top view.

The invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described.

Combining the features of the examples illustrated into variants that are not illustrated would not constitute a departure from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the dispositions of the grooves 13 illustrated in Figures 1 to 14 may be applied to a core having a curvilinear longitudinal axis.

The applicator elements 12 may comprise a material that has bacteriostatic properties and/or promotes slip and/or is magnetic.

The applicator 3 may be subjected to vibrations during use, and/or be heated, that is to say have a heating element, and/or be able to rotate. It is also possible for the applicator member 10 to be able to vibrate and to be heated or only to be able to vibrate or only to be heated or only to be able to rotate. When the applicator is able to rotate, the gripping member 9 may house an electric motor for rotating the stem.

The expression "having a" should be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one".

Claims

1. Applicator (3) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having:

a stem (8), and

- an applicator member (10) at one end of the stem (8), the applicator member (10) being produced by material moulding and having:

a core (11) that extends along a longitudinal axis (X), and spikes (12) that are carried by the core (11) and extend around the latter,

the core (11) having at least one groove (13), better still a plurality of grooves (13), oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly or obliquely, with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the core,

the grooves (13) being disposed in an alternate manner on two opposed sides of the core (11).

2. Applicator (3) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having:

a stem (8), and

an applicator member (10) at one end of the stem (8), the applicator member (10) being produced by material moulding and having:

- a core (11) that extends along a longitudinal axis (X), and

spikes (12) that are carried by the core (11) and extend around the latter,

each portion of the core (11) between two consecutive grooves that are located on one and the same side of the core carrying at least three spikes (12).

3. Applicator according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the groove or grooves (13) are not provided with applicator elements (12).

4. Applicator according to Claim 1 to 3, wherein the applicator member (10) has opposite first (14) and second (15) application sectors, each carrying applicator elements (12), in particular sectors (14, 15) that each extend through 180° about the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (1 1).

5. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein only the first sector (14) has grooves (13).

6. Applicator according to Claim 4, wherein the first (14) and second (15) sectors have grooves (13), in particular the same number of grooves.

7. Applicator according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the first sector (14) has grooves (13) with a depth (d_}) equal to the depth (d₂) of the grooves (13) in the second sector (15).

8. Applicator according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the first sector

(14) has grooves (13) with a depth (d_}) different from the depth (d₂) of the grooves (13) in the second sector (15).

9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims apart from Claim 4, wherein the grooves (13) are disposed in an alternating manner on two opposite sides of the core (1 1).

10. Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 apart from Claim 4, wherein the grooves (13) extend on opposite sides of the core (1 1) with no axial offset of the grooves from one side to the other.

1 1. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grooves (13) are oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (1 1).

12. Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the grooves (13) are oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (1 1), in particular all in the same direction or in alternating directions, for example at 45° in one direction and then at 45° in the other direction.

13. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the depth (di, d₂) of the grooves (13) is less than or equal to half the thickness (E) of the core (1 1).

14. Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the depth (d_}, di) of the grooves (13) is greater than half the thickness (E) of the core (1 1).

15. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angular extent (a) of the grooves (13) around the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (1 1) is between 60° and 200°, better still between 150° and 180°.

16. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width (/) of the grooves (13) is between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, better still between 0.9 mm and 1.4 mm.

17. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (11) is solid.

18. Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein the core (1 1) is hollow.

19. Applicator according to the preceding claim, having a rod inserted into the interior of the core (11), the latter being in particular free to move on said rod.

20. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the rod inserted into the interior of the core (11) is moulded with the stem (8) or attached to the latter.

21. Device (1) for packaging and applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator (3) as defined in any one of the preceding claims and a container (2) containing the product (P) to be applied.